Pavlyuchenko to join Spurs

Roman Pavlyuchenko is poised to join Tottenham Hotspur, the Russia striker said on Tuesday.

"I can confirm I'm joining (Spurs)," the Spartak Moscow player told local media. "Right now I'm getting my visa and as soon as it is ready I will fly to England to sign a contract."

Pavlyuchenko said he would not play for Spartak against Dynamo Kiev in Wednesday's Champions League third qualifying round second leg. The Russians trail 4-1 from the opening match.

"I won't play in Kiev," he said. "Everything has happened very quickly so I couldn't even say goodbye to my team mates."

The 26-year-old was Russia's top scorer at Euro 2008 with three goals as he helped his country reach the semi-finals, their best showing at a major championship in 20 years.

Pavlyuchenko also scored twice in a 2-1 win over England in a qualifying match in October.

Tottenham's attempt to sign Andrei Arshavin fell through last week when their bid for Russia's talented playmaker was rejected by UEFA Cup holders Zenit St Petersburg.

The English League Cup holders are desperate to sign a striker, having sold Ireland's Robbie Keane to Liverpool in the close season and with Bulgarian international Dimitar Berbatov constantly linked with a move to Manchester United.

Spurs have started the season poorly, losing their opening two Premier League matches to Middlesbrough and Sunderland.